Railway switch



Apr, 3, 1923. 11,450,7@3 w. H. sWlNDELL ET AL.

RAILWAY SWITCH Filed Oct. 26, 1922 4 sheet5=s heet l N V EN TORS r i 1 k ATTORNEM Apr. 3, 1923.

11,450,763 W. H. SWYNDELL ET Al.

RAILWAY SWITCH yFiled oct. ze, 1922 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Apr. 3, i923.

STATES PATE ori-nee.N

RAILWAY SWITCH.

Application led October 26, 1922.

To all zo hom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, VILLIAM H. SwrN- DELL and Lnwis PHrLLrrs, citizens of the United States, `residing at Waldo, in the county of Alachua and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful 4Improvements in Railway Switches, of which the following is a. specification.

This invention relates to railway switches and has for its objectto set up a switchv of such class, in a manner as, hereinafter set forth, with means toprovide for a continuous or uninterrupted main line or track when the switch points of the switch have been drawn to off or inoperative position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a railway switch, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, whereby the switching mechanism is auxiliary to the main line or track and is so set up as not to impair the normal condition of the main line or track, and is furthermore so set up that the rolling stock, when the switching mechanism is thrown to operative posit-ion, will pass over the track railsof the main linev or track without contact with said mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch of such class, with means, in a manner as hereinafter referred to, to rigidly hold the switch points of the switching mechanism in overlapping position with respect to t-he track rails ofthe `main line or track, when the switch points have been thrown to operative position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch of such class, in a manner as hereinafter referred to, whereby the curvatureof the siding or branch track at its junction with and at a position leading from the main line or track will be reduced to a minimum.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, for maintaining the switch points, as well as the lead track rails. permanently in pre-set spaced relation to prevent any possibility of the spreading of thereof relative to each other.

A further object of the-invention is to provide a switch of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, with means for connecting a switch point to a lead rail whereby the opposed ends thereof are premanent- Serial No. 596,996.

ly maintained in close proximity to each other during the contraction and expansion thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide Va switch of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, whereby the employment of the ordinary frogs associated with the main line and branch line or siding are dispensed with and furthermore whereby the leads from the main line to the branch line or siding are substantially continuous and maintained in such manner.

A further object of they invention is to provide a switch of such class, in a manner as hereinafter setI forth whereby the switch points and lead forming elements of the switch are of a height greater than the height of the main line or track at the cooperative point with the latter, and decrease in height in adirection leading from the mainline or track toward the branch line or siding.

Further objects of the invent-ion are to provide a` railway switch which is com-` oaratively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, thoroughly eilicient` in its use, conveniently thrown'fto operative. andinoperative position, including means for rigidly holding the switch points of thel mechanism in operative position, readily set up with respect to a main line or track and comparatively inexpensive.

Withthe foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the vnovel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specificallyY described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several viewsz Figure l is a topr plan view of a railway 4switch in accordance with this invention, the 10o elements of the switching mechanism being illustrated in an inoperative position.

Figure 2 is a like view with the elements of the switching mechanism being thrown to operative position with respect` to the 105 main linev or track,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the main line or track and switch illustrating the actuating elements between the front and rear switch points,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4, Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a section on line 5 5, Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a section on line 6 6, Figure 2,

Figure 7 is a section on line 7 7, Figure 2,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, illustrating the joint connection between the leads and the switch points,

Figure 9 is a section on line 9 9, Figure 2,

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a retainer member of a spreader element,

Figure 11, is a perspective view of a clamping member for a switch point,

Figure 12, is a perspective view of a chair plate,

Figure 13 is a perspective view of an elevating block interposed bet-ween the ties and the leads.

The switch points forming elements of a switching mechanism, in accordance with this invention, are of any suitable length and formed from any suitable material possessing the necessary durability and each of the switch points is of a height to extend above a main tracki rail. section, as well as to project over the track of the section when the switch point is thrown to operative position.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 and 2 denote the track rails of the main line or track and which are secured by the spikes 3, to the ties 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

The switch comprises a lead rail 11, a lead rail 12, a switch point 13, a switch point 14, a switch point 15, and a switch point 16. The lead rail 12, is connected to the switch point 13, byan expansion joint 17, the lead rail 11, is connected to the switch point 14, by an expansion joint 18, the lead rail 11, is connected to the switch point 15 by an expansion joint 19, and the switch point 16 is connected to a lead rail, not shown, by an expansion joint.

The track rail sections 1, of the main line are connected together by an expansion joint 20, andthe track rail sections 2, of the main track are connected together by an expansion joint 21.

The expansion joints 17 18, 19, 20 and 21, are of a like construction and the construction thereof is more clearly shown in Figures 7 and 8, and each of the joints consists of a pair of oppositely disposed angle shaped fish plates or angle bars 22, positioned at each side of the webs of the rail sections and secured to the rail sections by bolts 23, provided with nuts 24. The bolts 23, extend through the fish plates 22, and webs of the track rail sections and each of the sh plates has its lower end formed with an outwardly extending flange 25, seated on the base of the track rail and which terminates in a pair of extensions 26, 27 Each of the extensions has a slot 28. The track rail sections are mounted in seats formed in flanged chair plates 29, these latter are positioned on a pair of ties, as well as bridging the space between the ties, and the plates 29, are slotted as at 30, for the passage of depending lugs 31, which are carried by the Hanges26, of the fish plates and are positioned between the extensions on said flanges. The chair plates are secured to the ties by spikes 32, and also by spikes 33, these latter extending through the slots 28, in the extensions 26, 27. The slots 30, in the chair plates 29, are of greater length than the lugs 31, and as the slots 28 are of greater length than the width of the shanks of the spikes 33, the fish plates can shift with the track rail sections during the contraction and expansion thereof. By this arrangement the opposed ends of the track rail sections are permanently maintained in close proximity to each other, under such conditions providing a substantially permanently closed joint. The heads of the spikes 33, overlap the flanges of the fish plates.

The chair plates 29, employed in connection with the joints 17, 18 and 19, have interposed therebetween and the ties, elevating blocks 34, so that the leads 11, 12, and switch points 13, 14 and 15, will be positioned to extend above the track rail sections of the main track. Elevating blocks 35, are se cured as at 36, to the ties and are interposed between these latter and the leads 11, 12. Switch points 13, 14, 15 and 16 ride on elevating blocks 36', Spikes 37 are employed to secure the leads 11, 12, to the blocks 35.

The lead 11, and switch points 13, 14, are arranged between the track sections of the main line and the lead 12 and switch points 13, 16, are arranged exteriorly of the main line 'but are substantially parallel with the lead 11, and the switch points 14 and 15, that is to say, with the exception of the switch point 16, as this is parallel with the lead 12.

Spreaders are utilized in connection with the switch points 13, 14, and which are employed to permanently maintain the said switch points 13, 14, in spaced relation and to prevent the possibility of the switch points 13, 14, spreading after being set in spaced relation. Any suitable number of spreaders can be employed but only two are illustrated and each of which consists of a bar 38 positioned below the points 13, 14, and provided with a pair of holding members, one arranged inwardly with respect to the switch point 14, and the other arranged outwardly with respect to the switch point 13, Each of the holding members consists of an angle shaped shank 39, iixedly secured by the hold-fast device 40, to the bar 38, and which terminates into an enlarged head 41, which abuts against the webs of a switch point and is formed .with'openings 42, for the passage of hold-tast devices 48, which extend through the .web of the switch point.

Secured to the ties 10, is a pair of base plates, oneassociates with the track rail section 2 and the other with the track rail section 1. Each ofthe base plates is formed with a seat 45, lfor a track rail section, a pair of enlargements 46, which overlaps the base of the track rail section, a transverse abutment 47, an opening 48, a recess 49, an opening 50, `and notches 51 and 52.. The seat 45 is positioned in proximity to` one end of the base, and the abutment47 ,in proximity to the other end of the base. The seat is disposed transversely of the base as well as the abutment 47. In Figures 1l and 2 of the drawings, oneor1 the base plates is generally referred Yto by the reference character 58, and the otherby the reference character 54. The base plate 58, has mounted therein a track rail section 1, and projects outwardly from said track rail section 1. The base plate 54, is employed for the reception of a track rail section 2, and projects inwardly from said track rail section. The spikes 55, are employed for securing the base plates 58, 54, to the ties 10. Vhen the base plates 58, 54, are secured in position, the openings 48 are arranged over one of the ties 10.

Secured to the abutment 47, of the plate 58, by the hold-,fast devices 56, is a stationary arm 57, which projects'toward the track rail section 1, and iixedly Asecured to the abutment 47, of the base plate 54, Vby the hold-fast devices 58, is a'stationary arm 59, which extends toward the track rail section 1.4 The hold-fast devices 56, 58, extend through the openings 50. The arms 57 and 59 extend over the recesses 49, and mounted in the latter and extending to the arms 57, 59 are collars 60 providing pivots and which are secured inposition by upwardly extending headed bolts 61 projecting through said arms and carrying nuts 62. Thebolts 61 are prevented from dropping -out by the ties 10.

Mounted on each collar 60, is a clamping member formed of a shank 68, having an opening 64, for the passage of the collar 60, and the shank 68, is offset as at 65, and which terminates in an L-shapedclamping head 66, provided with an opening 67, in which is mounted a collar l68, forming a pivot. AThe apertured end 67 of the clamping headl 66 is positioned within the bifurcated end 69, of a shitting lever 70, and projectingup through the collar 68, as wellras through the biturcated end 69 of the lever 70, is a bolt 71, carrying a securing nut 72.

Arranged between one of the ties 9, and one ot' theties 10, is a transversely extending throwing bar 78, having fixedly secured thereto, bythe hold-fast devices 74`(Figure 7), a pair of inverted yoke-shaped supports 75, one of which is positioned at the inner end of the bar 78 and the other of which is secured intermediate the ends oft said bar 78. Mounted in the supports 7 5, as well as projecting upwardly therefrom are collars 76, which extend through the rear ends et the levers 70, and provide pivots ior said levers. The collars 76, are secured in position b-y vertically disposed headed bolts 77, which extend upwardly therethrough and which are provided with holding nuts 78. By this arrangement, when the throw bar 78 is shifted in one direction, the clamping members are moved to operative position, and when shii'ted in the other direction, the clamping members are moved to inoperative position. The abutments 47 associate with the clamping members when thrown to operative position and which will be hereinafter referred to. l

One of the clamping members associates with the switch point 18, 'for rigidly securing the latter in switching position with the track rail 1, and the other clamping member associates with the switch point 14, 'for rigidly holding it in switching position with respect to the track rail section 2.

The throw bar 78, is formed with a pair of slots as indicated at 79, 80, and extending through each oi' the slots is a collar 81, which projects into the arm 82, of the holding member, the latter is provided with a head 88, iixedly secured to a switch point by the hold-fast devices 84. Upwardly extending bolts 85, provided with nuts 86, are employed 'tor securing` the collars 81, to the arms 82. By this arrangement a slidable connection is set up between theswitch points and` the throw bar. The throw bar 78, is extended as at 87 -for connection to a switch stand, not shown.

Each of the switch points 18, 14, is so constructed and positioned as to overlap the treads of the track rail sections, 1, 2, when the switch points are thrown to operative position as shown in Figure 2 ot the drawings, and the ends of the switch points which overlap the track rail sections are tapered as indicated at 88. The webs ot' the switch points at the ends 88, are thickened for reinforcing purposes and :termed with a groove 89, into which extends a clamping head when the clamping member is shifted to operative position as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. `When the clamping inembers are shifted to operative position, the shank 68 thereof engages the abutments 47 simultaneously with the clamping engage ment ot the head 66, with the switch points, under such conditions the clamping meinbe'rs having binding engagement at two points, one of which is with the abut-ments and the other ofi which is with the switch points` thereby providingl lor rigidly securing` the switch points in operative position until the clamping members have been shirt ed through the medium of the throw bar 73, to inoperative position, as shown in Figure 1 off the drawings.

Cooperating with the switch point 15 is a pair oi" clamping members 90 and 91. ln this connection it will be stated that more that one clamping member 91 can be employed in connection with the switch point 15, in addition to the clamping member 90, but as illustrated, only one clamping member 91 is shown. Cooperating with the switch point 1G is a clamping member 92. ilecured to a paii` ot ties 4, by the spikes 93, is a base plate 94, which is disposed under a track rail section 1, and extends from each side thereof. rlhe plate 94 has a pair ot' abutments 95, 9.0, one of which cooperates with the clamping member 90, and the other with the clamping member 92. The clampingl member 90, is pivotally connected at 97, tothe i'ilate 94, the pivotal connection between the clamping member 90, and the plate 94 being similar to that referred to in connection with the clan'iping member carried by either' of the plates 53, The clamping head ot the member 90, is indicated at 93, and operates within a groove. formed in the web oit the switch point Arranged between one ot the ties 4, and one o1: the ties: 5, is a throw bar 99, to which is pivotally connected as at 100, a. shitting l ver 101. The pivot 100 extends through a support 102, secured to the bar 99. Pivotally attached to the lever 101, as at .103 is a shitting lever 104, for the clamping member 91. Secured to a pair of ties 5, by the spikes 105, is a base plate G provided with an al; itment 107, which is notched at 103, and int-o the latter extends the shank of the clamping member 91. llhe clamping member 91, is pivotally connected as at 109, to the arm 110, carried b-y the plate 10G. The lever 104, is pivotally connected to the clamping member 91, as at 111. Carried by the throw bar 99, and connected to the switch point 15, is a holding member 112. Secured to the throw bar 99, is a yoke shaped support 113, which has slidably connected therewith, as at 114, a shitting lever 115, it'or the clai'nping member 92. The shifting lever 115, is pivotally connected to the clamping member 92, as at 11G, and also as at 117. rlhe pivot 11G is with the shank of the clamping member 92, and the pivot 117, is with the head ot' the clamping member 92. Projecting from the support 113, is a shifting` bar 113, which is pivoted tothe plate 94, as at 119, and is also pivoted, as at 120, to a shitting arm 121. which has a helding member 122, slidably connected therewith as at 123. "he holding member is secured bjc the hold-tast devices 124, to the switch point 13.

Secured to a pair of ties 9, is a support 125, carrying an arm 126, to which a bell crank lever 127, is pivotally connected as' at 12S.

One of the arms. of the bell crank lever 127, is slidably and pivotally connected with the throw bar V73, as at 129 and the other arm of the bell crank lever 127, is pivotally connected as at 130, to an actuating rod 131, which extends. through guide members 132, secured to the ties 6 and 8. Mounted on a pair of ties 5, as well as being secured thereto, is a plate 133 provided with an arm 134, to which is pivotally connected as at 135, a bell crank lever 136.` VOne arm of the bell crank lever 136 is pivotally connected as at 137, to the rod 131, and the other arm of the bell crank lever 136 is pivotally connected as at 138, to a throw bar 99. 1n view et' the foregoing arrangement of elements, when the throw bar 7 3 is actuated from the switch stand, the bell crank lever 137, will shift the rod 131, which in turn will actuate the bell crank lever 136, andshitt the throw bar 99, so that the switch points 13, 14, and 1G, will be simultanenously operated either to or from operative position, depend ing in what direction the throw bars are shifted. When the throw bars are shifted in a direction to move the switch points to operative position, the switch points will be shifted to the position as shown in Figure 2, and when the throw bars are moved in opposite directions, the throw bars will be shifted to inoperative position as shown in Figure 1. When the switch points are shitted to inoperative position, the main line is cleared or in other words, a continuous main .line is provided.

1n Figure 4, there is shown in dotted lines, coverings as indicated at 139, for the various mechanisms, so that they will be protected from obstacles falling from the track, The cover arrangement is also indicated in dotted lines Figure 1. The pivotal connection between the various elements is had through the medium of the collars secured in position by the bolts. The height of the switch point 14, lead 11 and switch pointl 15, is thesame, as well as the height of the switch point 16, but the height of the switch point 1G, gradually decreases from that end which vco-acts with that end of the track rail section 1. The height et the switch point 13, is the same as the height of the switch point 14, and the lead 12 gradually decreases in height from its point of connection with the switch point 13. The height ot the switch points 14, 15 and 16, as well as the lead 11, is such that the anges et' the wheels of the rolling stock-will not contact with the track rail sections 1, as the rolling stock is diverged from the main line to the branch line or siding'.

From the foregoingconstruction and arrangement of parts, a railway switch is set up whereby the main line, when the switch mechanism is thrown t0 inoperative position, is continuous or uninterrupted, and further when the shifting mechanism is thiown to operative position the switch points are rigidly secured in position to prevent any possibility of accident, and further the switch, as set up, overcomes the necessity of kemploying frogs in the main line and that owing to the manner in which the pivots are set up, if the securing nuts for the bolts become accidentally displaced, the pivotal means is still retained in position, and further the manner of connecting up the switch points and leads provides for a substantially continuous branch line or track and overcomes wide opening' at the joint as the connection between the joints is an expansion one and overcomes the shifting apart of the ends of the leads and switch points due to contraction and expansion thereof, as the joints tend to maintain the points and leads in close proximity to each other at all times, and although the drawings illustrate the preferred embodiment of' the invention, yet it is to be understood that changes in the detail of construction can be had without departing from the vspirit of the invention as claimed.

lhat we claim is:

1. A railway switch comprising a lead having a switch point extending` therefrom, a lead having a pair of switch points extending therefrom, a switch point leading to one of the switch points of said pair, said switch points being shiftable and capable of overlapping the track rails of a track, a clamping member associated with each of said switch points, `an abutment associated with each of the clamping members, and means for simultaneously actuating` said clamping members for shifting them in binding engagement with the switch points and abutments for rigidly securing the switch points in operative position with respect to the track rail sections.

2. A railway switch comprising a lead having a switch point extending therefrom, a lead having a pair of switch points extending therefrom, a switch point leading to one of the switch points of said pair. said switch points being shiftable and capable of overlapping the track rails of a track, a clamping member associated with each of said switch points, an abutment associated with each of the clamping members, means for simultaneously actuating said clamping members for shifting them in binding engagement with the switch points and abutments for rigidly securing the switch points in operative position with respect to the track rail sections, and holding members secured to said switch points and slidably connected with said means.

3. A railway switch comprising a lead having a switch point extending therefrom, a lead having a pair of switch points extending therefrom, a switch point leading to one of the switch points of said pair, said switch points being shiftable and capable of overlapping the track rails of a track, a clamping member associated with cach of said switch points, an abutment associated with each of the clamping members, means for simultaneously actuating said Cllllllllt members for shifting them in binding engagement with the switch points and abutments for rigidly securing the switch points in operative position with respect to the track rail sections, and spreader bars for connecting certain of said switch points together- 4. A railway switch comprising a lead having a switch point extending therefrom, a lead having a pair of switch points extending` therefrom, a switch point leading to one of the switch points of said pair` said switchpoints being shiftable and capable of overlapping the track rails of a track, a clamping member associated with each of said switch points, an abutment associated with each of the clamping members, means for simultaneously actuating said clamping` members for shifting them in binding engagement with the switch points and abutments for rigidly securing the switch points in operative position with respect to thc track rail sections, holding members secured to said switch points and slidably connected with said means, and spreader bars for connecting certain of said switch points together.

5. A railway switch comprising a lead i having a switch point extending therefrom, a lead having` a pair of switch points extending therefrom, a Switchpoint leading to one of the switch points of said pair. said switch points being shiftable and capable of overlapping the track rails of a track, a clamping member associated with each of said switch points, an abutment associated with each of the clamping members, means for simultaneously actuating said clamping members for shifting them. in binding engagement with the switch points and abutments for rigidly securing the switch points in operative position with respect to the track rail sections, and said switch points provided with grooves for the reception of said clamping members.

6. A railway switch comprising a lead having a switch point extending therefrom, a lead having a pair of switch points extending therefrom, a switch point leading to one of the switchpoints of said pair, said switch points being shiftable and capable of overlapping the track rails of a track, a clamping member associated with each of said switch points, an abutment associated with each of the clamping members, means for simultaneously actuating said clamping members for shifting them in binding engagement with the switch points and abutments for rigidly securing the switch points in operative position with respect to the track rail sections, holding members secured to said switch points and slidably connected with said means, and said switch points provided with grooves or the reception ot said clamping members.

ff A railway switch comprising a lead having a switch point extending therefrom, a lead having a pair of switch points eX- tending therefrom, ay switch point leading to one ot the switch points of said pair, said switch points being shiftable and capable ot overlapping the track rails ot' a trackf a clamping member associated with cach of said switch points. an abutment associated with each of the clamping members, means for simnltaneonslv actuating said clamping members `for shitting them in binding en" gagement with the switch points and abutments for rigidly securing the switch points in operative position with respect to the track rail sections, and expansible joints between said switch points and leads.

8. A railway switch comprising a lead having a switch point extending therefrom,

lead having a pair ot switch points eX- tending therefrom, a switch point leading to one of the switch points ot said pair, said switch points being shittable and capable of overlapping the .track rails of: a track, a clamping member associated with each of said switch points. an abutment associated with each of the clamping members` means ttor simultaneously actuating said clamping members for shifting them in binding en.- ,Qjagement with the switch points and abutments for rigidly securing the switch points in operative position with respect to the track rail sections, holding members secured to said switch points and slidably connected with said means, and expansible joints between said switch points and leads.

9. A railway switch comprising leads,'

switch points connected with said leads, a

clamping member associated with each of said switch points and adapted when shitted to operative position to moveA said switch points to overlap the track rail sections of a track, abutments associating with said clamping members and engaged by these latter when shifted to operative position, means for pivotally supporting said clamping members, operating means for said clamping members, said operating means being pivotally connected with said clamping members, the pivots for the clamping members and the pivotal connection between the clamping members and said means being in the form ot vertically disposed collars secured in position by hold-fast devices eX- tending through the collars and the clamping members and said means.

10. A railway switch comprising leads, switch points connected with said leads, a clamping member associated with each of said switch points and adapted when shifted to operative position to move said switch points to overlap the track rail sections of a track, abutments associating with said clamping members and engaged by these latter when shifted to operative position, means for pivotally supporting said clamping members, operating means for said clamping members, said operating means being pivotally connected with said clamping members, the pivots for the clamping members and the pivotal connection between the clamping members and said means being in the form of vertically disposed collars secured in position by hold-fast devices extend ing through the collars and the clamping members and said means, and holding members secured to said switch points and slidably connected with said means.

In testimony whereof, we aiiix our signatures hereto.

WILLIAM H. swINDELL. LEwIs PHILLIPS. 

